Wednesday, December 22, 2010

Thinking about things

I have always longed for a simpler lifestyle. I want to be home and homeschool my children, and I want to learn to live more off the land. Not completely, I don't want to suffer, but I do want to be more self-sufficient.
In the middle of this desire is Karl. Karl wants to make me happy, but I am not so sure this is his dream. Karl wants the kids to grow up, and to move around following the band phish all year. While an RV lifestyle could definately work for me for awhile, I can't imagine doing it all the time. Can't you just see us as sixty year olds, following osme band around all summer?

Anyway, I am torn. I guess I feel urgent now because of Liam. As soon as he was born, the clock started ticking down to his admission into the public school system. Don't get me wrong-schools do educate. I went to public school, and I am okay. I just want at least one of my children to escape the rat-race that is peer pressure. When a 10 year old is asking for a hundred dollar hair appliance, I think something is wrong. Now, my kids are smart. They don't usually ask for many brand names, except that Taryn has heart set on a pair of Uggs this year. And frankly, there isn't anything wrong with brand names. But, when a child's self-esteem is tied to the name on their sweatshop made tshirt, I have a problem.

I guess I want more for Liam. I don't think putting small children in a room with 20 other small children all day is good for them. I don't. This so called socialization is damaging. I want freedom for Liam. I just have to figure out how to get it and still make all the important people in my life happy.

Saturday, December 18, 2010

Cheap Christmas Ideas!

I have been scanning for new cheap christmas gift ideas and here are some links:

Gifts under ten dollars

Cheap Christmas Gift Giving Ideas

Of course, the expense of Christmas doesn't end with the gifts. There is all that decorating and baking to do!

My advice on the baking, is to look for sales and stock up. The only time this is a problem for me, is when I try and stock up on chocolate chips. Then I just find myself making chocolate chip cookies several times a week. I can whip up a batch in a couple of minutes. In fact, it's the only real recipe I have memorized. But it's also the BEST. We love cookies.

One major expense is the tree. The most frugal idea is the artificial tree, but I just love a fresh tree. I can't smell them anymore. I don't know if it is my nose or if trees have been genetically engineered to smell less, but I still love the look and feel. I have yet to see an artificial tree than can stand up to a real tree.
Of course, here in Springfield, Mo, a seven foot tree runs between 50 and 60 at the lot I visit. It's worth it, though. Even going and getting a tree becomes a memory. Even more memories are created if a three has a crooked trunk which has to be compensated for when you try and stand it. I don't think I will ever forget the year when dear Karl had forks and a cup saucer, among other items, stuck in the tree stand, trying to get the thing to stand straight. It was a bad tree. I had bought it for half price. When he finally got it standing, we went out into the dark of the December's night, to admire it in the window. As we stood watching...it fell over. Priceless.
Another benefit of a real tree is that you can cut branches off to decorate the mantel or bookshelves.
A lot of cute decorations end up in thrift stores for a dollar or so. Check them out first!
Decorating is cheaper if you have a cool place to save candles from the previous year. When I was little, my mom would burn them on Christmas Eve night. Now that I am older, I have found that limited their burning time to "special" nights, means you can use them a few years in a row. Just dust them off when you pull them out and they are ready to go! Doing something infrequently makes it more special. I think we forget that our in our modern world. A candy bar once a week tastes a lot better than one once a day.Just remember to keep them (the candles, not candy bars, though if you are stocking up on candy bars, the same advice goes) somewhere cool, like a basement. You don't want them to melt. It might be wiser to keep them in their own small container, so you don't find melted wax hardened onto your precious ornaments.

Ornaments are a little more personal. Some people prefer the manicured look of matching balls perfectly set in the tree. I love a cozier, more homemade look. Paper snowflakes are my favorite! Just make sure you have a place to save your glass balls. Sure they are fairly cheap, but really, nothing "disappears", it just sits in a landfill. Take care rather than replacing. Of course, if you have cats, you might find a large amount of ball disappearing. Don't ask me!
I don't  have time for crafts,but if you run a search (Cheap Christmas crafts) you are bound to find some goodies!

Christmas!

Christmas time is always a major budget killer. I generally try to stick to $150 per kids, but that doesn't include stocking stuffers, which can really add up. This Christmas I have stuck to the 150, but I still need to buy for my mom and brothers (the ones who will be in town), sister-in-law, and niece and nephews. Frustrating, since my wallet is screaming in agony "Нет" (or nyet) each time I open it. I don't want to stoop to dollar store stuffers, because I can imagine how I would feel to wake up to a sock full of dollar store stuff. But the budget is really tight. I would like to stick in Barnes and noble cards or something, but for 3 kids, that adds up!

I guess I will just have to really curb the extra shopping. We spend 10 to 20 several mornings a week on our way to school/work. I think I will stock up on cheap candy to pass out as rewards at school. I am usually afraid I will eat it, but recently I have  discovered a new willpower.

We'll see.

Saturday, November 27, 2010

We're not nudists, yet. A Challenge for Jill

One of the main arguments I have with Karl is over clothing. He thinks I spend too much, I disagree. So I started thinking about what I do spend on clothes. Each month, I buy clothes for one of the children. The plan is I spend 50 dollars on that child, plus a pair of shoes (if they ask). Now with Caleb, it is simple. I buy a lot of gently used shirts (polos, T's, or sweatshirts) depending on the season from eBay. I usually get him some jeans from eBay or from a resale shop in town. He has two pair of shoes and never asks for more. He also has 12 pair of boxers (I stocked up because he never brings his clothes to the laundry room). I throw all the white sweatsocks in one bag, and people take them as they need them. Yes, I have been known to wear white sweatsocks to work. It looks bad, but it feels oh, so good.

Now with the girls, it is a little more challenging. Fifty dollars every three months doesn't go very far in a girl's wardrobe. Another problem is, the girls like to go to the mall to spend their money. So, in addition to what they buy, I usually end up spending an extra $50 on something, and lunch. Not frugal. Some mall clothes are good buys (Aeropostale frequently has nice sales on their stuff, though it frequently looks like an aeropostale monster threw up ABC soup all over the clothing (that magically spelled out AERO). But Taryn has a soft spot for Forever 21, where the clothes are so cute and trendy, and ultimately often unwearable for everyday comfort. This past month, though, Smart Tierney chose to get clothes from KMart's Selena Gomez line. I love Tierney, she doesn't have an elitist bone in her body. She chose a cute pullover top and a new wallet, I threw in a matching scarf. Since the top was oatmeal colored, she needed something colorful near her face. Then we went to Hot topic (at the mall) wear she purchased a t-shirt (I think). Of course, the power of the mall took over, and on a whim, we got her ears pierced (she was always afraid before). That added over 35 to the budget, since Claire's ear piercing isn't cheap. I bought her a pair of gently used pink converse hightops off eBay, and her month is through.
My clothing is separate from the girls, . The problem is, I feel like I spend so much and get so little. I  think the problems are 1) I am overweight  and I just feel gross no matter what I wear and 2) I am messy and stain clothes quickly.
So I have been thinking about making a challenge for myself. I am thinking about trying (for 6 months at least) to only purchased preowned items. Of course, it is much more fun selecting something brand new. But should clothes buying be linked to that emotional high? Especially when I tend to spend too much? It's okay to have fun, I just need it to be a little cheaper. I think I will, by golly. It will be fun. And who'll notice?

It's Freezin' Time (pronounced tahm)

Karl recently told me I am beginning to talk like Dolly Parton, hence the "tahm". Really the only cure for this thick southwest Missouri accent I am developing, is moving. If we could just go somewhere else, my voice would assimilate to sound like the natives.

Anyway, Karl's parents said they would purchase a small freezer for us for Christmas. I am so excited. I can't wait to start posting about the good deals I will be able to stock up on sale now. Maybe I will even save some garden produce next year in the freezer! Okay, I know freezers use energy and that costs, it will be fun to see if the saving outweighs the cost. Plus, a new one should be more energy efficient than an older model.
Just wanted to share.

Sunday, November 21, 2010

Hillbilly Housewife

Hillbilly Housewife is a site (with a fun name) that has been around a while. It has lots of money saving ideas, particularly recipes, and even has a 45 dollar emergency menu. Although, I think I saw an article on there explaining why the old 45 dollar menu was now a 70 dollar one (and some people say inflation isn't a big problem).
If you type in "emergency menu" to any search engine you will come up with several sites to menus of various prices. I don't find 70 a week to be a big savings, but 25 a week can be done. If you are strapped for holiday cash, it might be better than pulling out a credit card, to first see where you can cut back. I decided I will not use credit cards for Christmas again. I have always limited what I buy the kids to $150 each (plus stocking stuffers). If this is not enough, then it is their own discontent and not skimpy scroogishness on my part.

If I were to have the lifestyle I really want, I would limit it to one new item, and several used. Unfortunately, I have been unable to get my sweetie on board with that.

Friday, November 19, 2010

Freezing Food

I was reading in Dollar Stretcher (a mediocre money-saving email pamplet) about freezing foods to save time. This particular article focused on baked goods (muffins, biscuits, and pancakes). I wondered if this would be a good idea for me. It would be great to be able to bake a recipe on the weekend and then grab and nuke a muffin for a quick Monday breakfast. I am not sure it is the way for me, though. First of all, I eat too much. So even if I did mange to get some yummy smelling baked goods into the freezer-would they stay there? I am not so sure.
Secondly, baked goods are fairly quick anyway. Are they worth taking up freezer space? I am not sure.
What I really want is a small freezer seperate from my fridge. Then I could take advantage of great meat deals and stock up. Also, when I do cook too much, I could put some aside for a later meal. I just don't have space for that at this point.

But how much should I sink into a freezer. Do I want to shell out the money for a new one, or take my chances on a used freezer. Decisions, decisions.

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Things I have learned

Those energy saver light bulbs are not cheap. I will be replacing them one by one as the others burn out. Additionally, this whole unplugging electronics when not in use is hard. I mean really hard to do.

Monday, November 15, 2010

Hmmm

I am wondering what direction this blog will go. I could focus on bargains or tips or something else. I am not quite sure yet. But I tell two little things I am trying to incorporate into my lifestyle.
One is simple-turning off lights. I love a bright, well-lit house. I do not like paying high electric bills. So I am slowly switching to energy saver bulbs and trying to remember to turn out lights. I say trying because just behind me in the kitchen two lights are glowing.
Second, I have been reading about how electronics are always using some energy  when they are plugged in. Obviously some things will always be plugged in, such as large appliances. And others (the coffeemaker and toaster, I will unplug). Right now, we have decided to unplug the powerstrip for the TV at night, but not each time we turn it off. It does involve moving the entertainment center a foot or so for access whenever we mess withthe plugs. We'll see how this goes!

Sunday, November 14, 2010

Keeping up with the Jones?

We have all heard the phrase "Keeping up with the Joneses". Perhaps we have even lived it, finding ourselves craving some new item only after discovering someone else in our circle has it. I think this tendency towards craving status symbols in order to be like everyone else is the number one enemy of keeping a reasonable budget.
For example, a coworker of mine drives very nice luxury cars. Part of me wonders what it would be like to step from such a car, hit the alarm button, knowing that my car is one of the pricier ones in any given parking lot. It must feel nice. I like nice things. Who doesn't? And for an instant, I wonder-how could I get my hands on such a thing. Then reality crashes around me when I realize that in my circumstances a car payment would take me further from my dream of staying home. A car payment means less eating out money (yes, I will tackle that monster at some time), less clothes money (already stretched thin), and less for my family.

I didn't fall in love with a man with a middle class income. In fact, most upstanding middle class men, give me the heebie-jeebies. Seriously. Well, I like lawyers and scientists, but all the others, no thanks. Doctors-eww, I mean you touch strangers for money. Maybe a teacher here or there (but in today's world, is a teacher really middle class. Really?). And if English is your domain, well then you make a good "friend" but a lover? Guh-ross. We won't even touch on business majors-unless of course, you are in CIS, then you might be okay. So as you can see, I am really limited in the man department. And I LOVE Karl. 

I guess the question is, how to remain content, when still living within a small budget. As I am hoping to shrink my budget over the next couple years this is something I am working with now.
First of all, frequent reminders of the choices I have made are needed. I have four children. I want every one of them. I can't even begin to imagine life with only one or two children. How quiet and organized. Not for me. I would even love more kids.
Second, I chose to teach.  I had options. I suspect summers off might have influenced my decision, and a dislike for research (goodbye university career). Teachers don't make a lot of money. The choice is to marry well (see point above) or live on credit-since I am leaving graduate school-"credit" is soon to demand its payback. Fingers crossed for Income-based repayment.
Third, I want to work less, I want to be home. I have to keep that goal in mind.
Last spring, I spent hundreds of dollars redecorating my dining room. New drapes, carpet, accessories, etc. And I love it. But the people I "imagined" seeing it, have never been by. They aren't friends. They are "Joneses". My kids haven't expressed any  interest in the new look, my boyfriend admired it, but would he have missed it if I hadn't redecorated? On top of that, if I open a small home daycare, guess which room will be made into the main playroom? The dining room. The table will be moved out and toy boxes will be moved in. Fancy decorations will give way to colorful animals prints and alphabet charts.

So I am making a resolution today. I don't care what the Joneses have. I don't care what they drive, how big their closet is, or even if they are to turn up their nose at my lack of fancy material things. Because I have a lot of something wonderfuls. I have Tierney and Caleb, Taryn and Liam. I have Tess and Spitfire, pee-ers though they are. I have a kind-hearted man, and a roof over my head. And except for on bad days, I have the gift of only seeing what  I like and want to see.  I plan to use that gift more. Chipped paint? I don't see you today. I can only admire the white glossiness of what is still hanging on. Lucky me. :).

A new blog, a new direction

I have always been interested in saving money. This started when I was the wife of a newly enlisted Airman, who was making $800 a month (and it took several months before we were able to get a food or housing allowance). We started with the basics and slowly added on. Unfortunately, we also accumulated a lot of debt. It wasn't that we didn't KNOW better-who doesn't KNOW better-it is that we just didn't have any self control. Still I read The Tightwad Gazette and Miserly Moms, and did the best I could.
Now I find myself with so much college loan debt, and a new man who make much less than the last (but I have a job now). With a baby, though, I find myself wanting to be home, and afraid it will never happen. So I am starting this blog to inspire (myself mainly) to spend a little less with the goal of enjoying a lot more.